incomprehension

[ in-kom-pri-hen-shuhn, in-kom- ]

noun

1. lack of comprehension or understanding:

   The audience listened politely but with incomprehension.

incomprehension

/ ɪnˌkɒm-; ˌɪnkɒmprɪˈhɛnʃən /

noun

1. inability or failure to comprehend; lack of understanding

Word History and Origins

Origin of incomprehension¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; in- ³ + comprehension

Example Sentences

Snow declared that a gulf of mutual incomprehension divided literary intellectuals and scientists.

From Nautilus

An excellent argument against Roman Catholicism I would say, and Greene might well stare in blank incomprehension at my pages.

From The Daily Beast

There were those who lagged behind out of incomprehension, political calculation, or timidity.

From The Daily Beast

The rest of the world has reacted to the idea of such a child with horror and incomprehension.

From The Daily Beast

The man's face wore a sudden crafty look of incomprehension.

From Project Gutenberg

I dare say Im unjust, but Im living in another world, and this shocks me—the incomprehension of it all!

From Project Gutenberg

Trask's efforts to explain the political and social structure of the Sword-Worlds met the same incomprehension from Bentrik.

From Project Gutenberg

But our incomprehension is due even more to our ignorance of the strange and devious workings of the German mind.

From Project Gutenberg

It did not occur to him to go on acting, to pretend astonishment or incomprehension.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• illiteracy
• nescience